A Bend man was seriously injured Friday afternoon when a large rock apparently rolled down an embankment above Highway 20 east of Sweet Home and crashed through his pickup’s windshield, authorities reported.

OSP troopers believe the large rock (above) that crashed through the windshield of Sean Passage's vehicle rolled from an enbankment above Highway 20. The Bend man managed to maintain control of his Toyota pickup (below), and flagged down a passing motorist for assistance. OSP photos.

Sean C. Passage, 23, a student at Oregon State University, was traveling westbound on his way to Corvallis shortly before 5 p.m. January 19 when the accident occurred near milepost 55, about 27 miles east of Sweet Home, said Oregon State Police (OSP).

Troopers say Passage was able to maintain control of his Toyota pickup after the rock struck him in the right side and arm.He pulled over to the side of the highway, laid down on the shoulder, and flagged down a passing vehicle who begin driving him towards Sweet Home.

Once in cell phone service range, help was summoned and Sweet Home-area medics met the driver and Passage, then took him to Sweet Home High School where he was met and transported by Reach air ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis.

Investigation into the incident is continuing, lead by Trooper Scott Hite of the OSP Albany Area Command Office.